MHPSS Expert - Afghanistan

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: MHPSS Expert

Code: 28-4036

Duty station: 70% Kandahar and 30% Zabul

Starting date: 01/05/2023

Contract duration: 6 months

Reporting to: Protection Coordinator

Supervision of: PSS Specialist

Dependents: non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmer serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to- reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff.

It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid cannot replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritizes urgent humanitarian needs will be essential. At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognizing that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

In collaboration with the Protection Unit and the Medical Unit, provide technical guidance and support to MHPSS staff (both medical and protection staff) ensuring the different components of the program are delivered according to internal guidelines and in line with international standards and principles, according to INTERSOS vision and values. He/she is the technical focal point to provide appropriate and timely technical guidance to Afghanistan INTERSOS mission including capacity building, development of guidance notes/tools, and developing MHPSS strategies​.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Support to the programme

• Lead efforts to provide guidance and support to field programmes in Afghanistan that will result in the development and implementation of high-quality MHPSS programmes and strategies that make a measurable impact.
• Design the MHPSS strategy for Afghanistan based on context, identifying the best approach to be used for addressing PSS issues of the community and developing the training and tools required to implement the strategy.
• Provide mh gap training to health personnel and, if necessary, build additional training materials for MHPSS component according to National policy and international standards to support the training of health staff in Afghanistan to raise their capacity in responding to MHPSS issues;
• Supervise the MHPSS Specialist and develop tools to support the monitoring and supervision of Psychologists and ensure proper standards are followed in PSS service delivery;
• Train, together with the MHPSS Specialist, the PSS counsellors and provide on-job mentoring, especially for identification and referral of cases that need specialized services.
• Supervise the MHPSS Specialist and provide on the job coaching and mentoring
• Support and supervise the coordination between the focused non specialized PSS intervention with the Individual Case Management;
• Develop training materials for different target groups of staff in Intersos covering Protection staff and volunteers
• Develop psycho education manuals for use in the community
• Develop guidelines to ensure the PSS component in Case Management is strengthened and there is a clear referral mandate to the psychologist / PSS counsellors
• Increase and enhance MHPSS programme monitoring and evaluation, and determining impact, wherever possible, including the use of standard indicators.

Programme development and quality control

• Ensure roll-out of the MHPSS Global SOP and develop the MHPSS in Protection SOP for the mission.
• Develop tools to monitor and evaluate PSS services
• Develop curriculum for structured and unstructured PSS as needed
• Develop a clear MHPSS strategy along with the Protection Coordinator for the Afghan mission in consideration of the current crisis in collaboration with field teams
• Support HQ Protection Unit in developing guidelines for MHPSS and design standardized tools.

Coordination and Representation

• Represent Intersos in the Afghan MHPSS WG and share best practices and lessons learnt;
• Ensure Intersos MHPSS approach is in line with Global and cluster standards.

Required profile and experience

Education

Masters degree in Social Work, Psychology

Professional Experience

• Minimum of five years of relevant working experience in MHPSS-related sectors, with focus on humanitarian Protection.
• Strong theoretical, technical and practical background in MHPSS
• Experience in complex emergency setting involving internal displacements.
• Reporting skills, experience with monitoring tools and systems, data collection and analysis.
• Excellent computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• Strong experience of minimum 3 years in Community-based PSS including experience in designing and implementation Individual-and Group-PSS sessions for conflict affected populations​

Professional Requirements

• Minimum of five years of relevant working experience in MHPSS-related sectors, with focus on humanitarian Protection.
• Strong theoretical, technical and practical background in MHPSS

Languages

• Fluency in English.
• Knowledge of Dari or Pashto will be an added advantage.

Personal Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work and integrate in a multicultural team.
• Ability to work under pressure, flexibility.
• Problem solver, dynamic, mature, proactive.
• Diplomatic skills in networking with partners, authorities and donors.

Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below: https://www.intersos.org/posizioni-aperte/missioni/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/638f76a693d80b002176e99c/

Please note that our application process is made of 3 quick steps: register (including your name, email, password and citizenship), sign-up and apply by attaching your CV in PDF format. Through the platform, candidates will be able to track their applications’ history with INTERSOS.

Please also mention the name, position and contact details of at least three references: two line managers and one HR referent. Family members are to be excluded.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.